465. The Alliance Commander

"What's going on here?!"

When the Kazekage, Rasa, and the Mizukage, Mei Terumī, arrived, they were greeted by the sight of Ōnoki and the Raikage, A, in the middle of a heated argument.

Yes, it was Ōnoki.

When he saw the Raikage about to lay a hand on his prized student, he couldn't hold back. He stepped in himself and started trading barbs with the Raikage.

Seeing this, Rasa and Mei were both stunned.

Weren't we all supposed to be here to discuss how to deal with Konoha? Why are you two fighting already?!

Fortunately, General Mifune's arrival finally put an end to the farce.

"If you're going to treat this with such childishness, then in my opinion, there's no need to hold this meeting at all," Mifune said sternly.

His words instantly cooled the tempers of both the Raikage and Ōnoki.

Everyone knew that Konoha was no longer a threat that any single major nation could handle alone.

If they couldn't even unite under these circumstances, then there was no point in wasting time.

With this in mind, Ōnoki snorted coldly. "For Mifune's sake, I won't bother with you any further!"

The Raikage, A, also sneered but refrained from making any further threats.

With a common enemy looming, it was better to hold back for now.

Once Konoha, the cancer of the ninja world, was dealt with, there would be plenty of time to settle scores with Ōnoki!

With this thought, everyone finally sat down, and the Four Kage Summit began to take shape.

---

"Welcome, Tsuchikage, Mizukage, Raikage, and Kazekage, to the Land of Iron for this important meeting on the order and peace of the ninja world."

As the host, General Mifune began with a calm and steady opening speech, hoping to restore some semblance of order to the proceedings.

Traditionally, the Land of Iron, as a neutral nation, should not have gotten involved in such matters.

But in recent years, Konoha's rapid development had severely impacted the Land of Iron's growth and stability.

Under the overwhelming propaganda and attractive conditions offered by the Land of Fire, the younger generation of the Land of Iron had begun to abandon the way of the samurai.

If no changes were made, the long-standing samurai tradition of the Land of Iron might very well end with Mifune.

This was the decisive factor that led him to choose to join the war. He would not allow the samurai legacy to die with him!

Even if it meant going to war with the Land of Fire!

Unfortunately, while the Land of Iron was ready for war, the other nations present did not seem to be truly united.

The root of the problem lay in the decades of constant warfare between the four major nations, which had created an insurmountable rift.

Each of them had blood on their hands—blood of the others' loved ones and comrades.

Now, asking them to unite and fight together against Konoha was easier said than done.

Mifune knew this, and so did the other Kage. Fortunately, the Raikage, who had just clashed with Ōnoki, was the first to step forward.

"I know that everyone here has deep-seated grudges against each other."

"But now, faced with the enormous threat of Konoha, which could overturn the entire ninja world, I hope we can set aside our differences and unite against them."

"To that end, I am willing to set an example by stepping aside from the position of Alliance Commander."

The Fourth Raikage's words caused everyone present to widen their eyes in surprise.

Clearly, no one had expected him to voluntarily give up such an important position.

After all, Ōnoki was old and frail, while Rasa and Mei were too young and lacked the prestige.

The Fourth Raikage, in his prime and with formidable strength, was undoubtedly the strongest candidate for the position of Alliance Commander.

Yet he had chosen to step aside...

While the Raikage's decision was surprising, it effectively demonstrated his resolve to resist Konoha and helped mend the cracks that had formed during the earlier argument.

Seizing the opportunity, the Fourth Raikage continued with a serious expression:

"Everyone, this is completely different from the previous three Great Shinobi Wars!"

"Danzō Shimura's ambition to conquer and rule the entire ninja world is no longer hidden."

"Combined with Konoha's current military strength, no single nation can stand against them."

"Not the Land of Lightning, nor the Land of Earth, the Land of Water, or the Land of Wind!"

"Therefore, to curb Konoha's expansion, we must unite. Only then can we ensure the survival of our villages—Kumogakure, Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and Sunagakure—which have been passed down to us."

"Otherwise, all that awaits us is defeat and destruction!"

The Fourth Raikage's words were like a thunderclap, leaving everyone in stunned silence.

They knew he wasn't exaggerating.

Konoha's current strength had reached an astonishing level.

In terms of overall power, it was even several times more terrifying than Konoha under the First Hokage!

Just the known Kage-level fighters numbered nearly ten!

Not to mention the hidden powerhouses and the various advanced technologies.

Even if the four nations united, victory wasn't guaranteed, let alone if they fought alone.

With this heavy realization, Ōnoki was the first to speak:

"While I don't agree with some of your points, Raikage brat, you are indeed the most suitable candidate for the position of Alliance Commander."

Following the Raikage's lead, Ōnoki also made a surprising statement.

Rasa and Mei were shocked. They never expected the control-obsessed Ōnoki to voluntarily step aside.

Ōnoki seemed to have anticipated their reactions. He snorted coldly.

"I know what you youngsters are thinking. While I may have the most seniority, I'm too old."

"Commanding an army is better left to the younger generation."

"This old bones can't bear such a heavy responsibility."

With that, Ōnoki sat back down, his serious expression showing he wasn't joking.

In fact, he truly had no desire to take on the role of commander.

After all, time waits for no one. Just commanding a civil war had already worn him out.

Now, asking him to command a war involving the entire ninja world would be the death of him.

Seeing Ōnoki step aside, Mei immediately stated:

"I agree that the Raikage should take the position of commander."

Mei's stance was clear and decisive.

First, she knew that her experience and strength were not outstanding among the four Kage, so she had no chance of competing for the position. It was better to make a gesture of goodwill early.

Second, the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water had no major conflicts in recent years. Even if the Raikage became commander, he wouldn't target them, which was better than Rasa taking the role.

Based on these two points, she decisively chose to support the Raikage.

What a cunning woman...

Seeing this, Rasa immediately understood the situation.

But with two of the four Kage supporting the Raikage, his vote no longer mattered.

Rather than struggling pointlessly and wasting energy, it was better to be straightforward.

"I also agree that the Raikage should be the Alliance Commander."